-- A federal appeals court cleared the way for the NFL to levy a six-game suspension on Ezekiel Elliott over domestic violence allegations.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel in New Orleans ruled 2-1 in favor of the NFL and ordered a district court in Texas to dismiss Elliott's case appealing the suspension. The NFL announced the suspension of the Cowboys running back was effective immediately."We are currently exploring all of our legal options and will make a decision as to what is the best course of action in the next few days,'' Elliott's lawyer Frank Salzano said.

Last month a Texas federal judge granted an injunction to block the suspension in agreement with NFL players' union attorneys who argued the investigation into the allegations against Elliott and the suspension were unfair. The NFL argued the league followed procedures under its labor deal and that the union improperly filed a lawsuit before the appeals process was over.

"The NFLPA is reviewing the decision and considering all options,'' the players' union said in a statement Thursday. "The appellate court decision focuses on the jurisdictional issues. The failures of due process by the NFL articulated in the District Court's decision were not addressed.''

If Elliott’s legal team cannot put the suspension on hold again, Elliott will not play in the Cowboys’ next game on Oct. 22 at San Francisco, along with the following five games against the Redskins, Chiefs, Falcons, Eagles and Chargers. He would be eligible to play again on Nov. 30 against Washington.

-- ESPN is set to launch a new Barstool Sports show called Barstool Van Talk featuring the site’s superstars Dan “Big Cat” Katz and PFT Commenter.

The show will premiere on Oct. 17 and air every Tuesday at 1 a.m. on ESPN2.

The Van Talk press release from ESPN Media Zone states the new show will “feature original digital shorts, guest interviews and comedy sketches.” It will also include the duo’s signature “exit interview” from the back of their 1993 conversion van.

Along with ESPN2, the show will be featured on ESPN.com, the ESPN App, ESPN’s YouTube channel, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Katz and PFT Commenter launched PMT in 2016 and plan to continue the podcast along with Van Talk.